Rockingham County, North Carolina Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Rockingham County, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Rockingham County, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created or received by public agencies in North Carolina, including law enforcement agencies, are the property of the people. The law specifically defines public records to include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business."
Law enforcement agencies in Rockingham County, including the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document the apprehension and detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity within the jurisdiction. The public nature of these records serves several governmental purposes:
- Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
- Ensures accountability of public officials
- Facilitates public awareness of criminal activity
- Supports the constitutional right to public trials
- Enables background checks for employment and housing
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted if disclosure would violate privacy laws, compromise ongoing investigations, or endanger individuals. Juvenile arrest records are generally not public under North Carolina law, with access restricted pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Rockingham County?
Rockingham County arrest records are accessible online through various official and third-party platforms. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains electronic records that include arrest information through its court records system. This digital accessibility aligns with the state's commitment to public information access while balancing privacy considerations.
The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current inmate information and recent arrest data. This information is updated regularly but may not include comprehensive historical arrest records. For complete historical records, individuals may need to utilize additional resources or submit formal requests.
Online access to arrest records is governed by N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which states that "Persons requesting copies of public records may elect to obtain them in any and all media in which the public agency is capable of providing them." This provision supports the electronic distribution of public records, including arrest information, through official websites and databases.
Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, supporting documentation such as arrest warrants, affidavits, and detailed reports may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Additionally, online records may not always reflect the most current status of a case, particularly regarding dismissals, expungements, or other post-arrest judicial actions.
How to Look Up Rockingham County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Rockingham County arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. Each method offers different levels of detail and convenience:
In-Person Requests
Individuals may obtain comprehensive arrest records by visiting the following agencies during regular business hours:
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office
170 NC Highway 65
Wentworth, NC 27375
336-634-3232
Official Website
Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court
Rockingham County Courthouse
1086 NC Highway 65
Reedsville, NC 27320
336-634-3100
Official Website
In-person requests typically require:
- Completion of a records request form
- Valid government-issued photo identification
- Payment of applicable fees (typically $2-$5 per record)
- Name and date of birth of the subject of the search
Online Resources
Digital access to arrest records is available through:
- The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search system, which includes information on current inmates and recently released offenders
- The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts' public records portal, which provides case information including arrest details
- The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office website, which maintains a current inmate roster and booking information
Written Requests
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), agencies must respond to public records requests "as promptly as possible." Requests should include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Date or approximate timeframe of arrest
- Requestor's contact information
- Specific information being sought
Contents of a Rockingham County Arrest Record
Rockingham County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal violations. These records are maintained in accordance with North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4E, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information.
Standard arrest records in Rockingham County include:
Biographical information of the arrestee:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- State identification number (SID) and/or FBI number if applicable
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint impressions
- Property inventory
Case processing information:
- Court case number
- Bond amount and type
- Detention facility information
- Initial appearance date
- Preliminary hearing information
The level of detail in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of related investigations, court orders, or statutory privacy protections. Certain sensitive information, such as social security numbers, may be redacted from public copies pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Rockingham County
Expungement (also called expunction) is the legal process by which arrest records and related criminal history information are removed from public access in Rockingham County. This process is governed by various provisions in North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A, Article 5.
Eligibility for expungement varies based on several factors:
- Nature and severity of the charge
- Disposition of the case (dismissal, not guilty, guilty)
- Prior criminal history
- Time elapsed since arrest or conviction
- Age of the individual at time of offense
North Carolina law provides specific expungement pathways under different statutes:
- N.C.G.S. § 15A-146: Expungement of records when charges are dismissed or there are findings of not guilty
- N.C.G.S. § 15A-145: Expungement of records for first-time offenders under age 18
- N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5: Expungement of certain nonviolent offenses
- N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.8: Expungement of records for offenses committed by human trafficking victims
The expungement process in Rockingham County requires:
- Filing a petition with the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court
- Payment of filing fees (currently $175, though fee waivers may be available)
- Obtaining an affidavit from the petitioner
- Securing affidavits from two character witnesses
- Notification to the District Attorney's Office
- Criminal background check
- Judicial review and determination
If granted, an expungement order directs all agencies to remove records of the arrest from public databases and prohibits disclosure of the expunged information. Agencies required to expunge records include the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Administrative Office of the Courts, and any other agencies that received the record.
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through:
Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court
1086 NC Highway 65
Reedsville, NC 27320
336-634-3100
Official Website
Legal Aid of North Carolina - Rockingham County Office
122 N. Scales Street
Reidsville, NC 27320
336-342-2039
Official Website
Search Arrest Records in Rockingham County
